Gefen Announces New CAT-5 Range Extender

Gefen, a Chatsworth, Calif.-based provider of connectivity gear, has announced the availability of a new system for extending the range of HD video, audio, data and other signals up to 330 feet on a single CAT-5 cable.

The HDMI v1.3 CAT-5 ELR (Extra Long Range) device nearly doubles the previous signal reach for HD transmissions over systems employing two CAT-5 cables.

“The HDMI v1.3 CAT-5 ELR cuts cable costs, expands the range of HDTV signal delivery and allows standard network devices to be extended over the same cable,” said

Gefen’s president and CEO, Hagai Gefen.

The new device supports high-definition resolutions up to 1080p/60 and 8.1 digital audio. The company said that the HDMI v1.3 CAT-5 ELR will begin shipping in December.